New York Times: Khamenei Has Ordered an Attack on Israel

The New York Times, in a report by Farnaz Fasihi, claimed that "three knowledgeable Iranian officials" stated that Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, ordered the National Security Council last Monday to prepare for an attack on Israel. The newspaper quotes these officials, whose identities are not disclosed, saying that Khamenei made this decision "after reviewing a detailed report from senior military commanders regarding the extent of damage to missile production capabilities and air defense systems around Tehran, critical energy infrastructure, and a major port in the south." Israel's retaliatory military operations in Iran, which followed the launch of about 200 ballistic missiles by the Islamic Republic towards Israel, primarily damaged military facilities, and it is reported that all four Russian S-300 systems of the Islamic Republic became inoperable as a result. Three S-300 systems were disabled in the second retaliatory attack by Israel, and one system was disabled in the very limited first retaliatory attack. The Islamic Republic has claimed that it has "repaired" some of the damages. Experts say that significant damage has been inflicted on missile manufacturing facilities in the Islamic Republic, and the Iranian government will face difficulties in replacing its missiles if it responds to Israel, and since its air defense system has also been severely weakened, the Israeli army's situation for future attacks is favorable. A satellite image from Planet Labs, made available through Reuters, shows the facilities at Parchin complex. It is said that the military complex at Parchin, where nuclear and missile activities have taken place, has also been damaged in the Israeli attack. Meanwhile, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two anonymous Israeli sources, that the Islamic Republic is preparing to attack Israel in the coming days via Iraq. Axios, referencing its sources, mentioned that the timing of this potential attack is "in the coming days" and possibly before the U.S. presidential elections, which will be held next Tuesday, November 15. According to this report, a large number of drones and ballistic missiles are expected to be launched from Iraqi territory towards Israel in the potential future attack. Axios added that the Islamic Republic may conduct this attack through its proxy militias in Iraq to avoid Israeli strikes on strategic targets within Iranian territory. Several officials from the Islamic Republic, including Khamenei's chief of staff, Gholamhossein Mohammadi Golpayegani, stated on Thursday that the Islamic Republic has plans to respond to Israel's retaliatory attack. Opponents of the Islamic Republic, including Prince Reza Pahlavi, have stated that "Khamenei's war against Israel is neither national nor patriotic." He emphasized in a post on his social media accounts for hundreds of thousands of users who follow his statements that the era of the Islamic Republic's warmongering through "proxy terrorists" is coming to an end, stating that Khamenei is "step by step getting closer to a direct war that he cannot win." According to him, "the destruction of radar and air defense systems, and the missile facilities of the Islamic Republic, is indeed a humiliation for the military force of a country whose air force and air defense were once the envy of the region." The Israeli army announced in the early hours of Saturday, November 5, that "precise and targeted" attacks on military targets of the Islamic Republic in various regions of Iran have concluded and Israeli aircraft have successfully returned to their bases. These attacks were in response to the launch of over 180 ballistic missiles from Iran towards Israel on October 1. The Islamic Republic had also launched 320 projectiles, including suicide drones and ballistic and cruise missiles towards Israel on April 14. The U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, stated this week that it is prepared for a potential renewed attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel. The U.S. has warned the Islamic Republic of Iran about the consequences of its attack or that of its proxies on Israel and American personnel.